IB or British (IGCSE/A Level): which suits your child?

This guide is for parents weighing the IB against British programmes (IGCSE and A Level) when choosing an international school. It draws on official guidance from each body, as of 2026-10-29. It does not say one route is better. It explains how the structures differ and gives you questions to judge what suits your child.

How the IB is built

The IB is split into programmes by age.

• PYP: for ages 3 to 12. It centres on inquiry across subject boundaries, and assessment is mainly ongoing, with feedback, rather than formal tests. (IB PYP)
• MYP: for ages 11 to 16. Students study eight subject groups, at least 50 hours each per year, and complete a long-term project and a community project. eAssessment in the final year is optional. (IB MYP)
• DP: students choose subjects from six groups. Three or four are taken at Higher Level (HL) and the rest at Standard Level (SL). The IB gives 150 teaching hours for SL and 240 for HL. (IB DP)
• CP: for ages 16 to 19. Students take at least two DP courses, plus a core and a career-related study. (IB CP)

How the British route is built

Cambridge AS and A Levels are usually taken at ages 16 to 19. A Level is a two-year course. AS Level can be completed in one year, and schools may offer it alone or as a step towards A Level. Assessment can be written, oral, coursework or practical, across more than 50 subjects. (Cambridge AS & A Level)

Cambridge IGCSE is graded on two scales, A*-G and 9-1. The 9-1 scale was introduced by the UK government for GCSEs in English state schools. Most Cambridge schools surveyed preferred to keep the familiar A*-G. Universities have said they treat the two scales equally. However, some UK universities take grade 4, and others grade 5, as the equivalent of a C in maths and English. (Cambridge IGCSE)

How results are scored

In the IB Diploma, each of the six subjects is graded 1 to 7. TOK and the Extended Essay add up to 3 points, so the maximum is 45. A diploma needs at least 24 points and several other conditions. An E in TOK or the Extended Essay, or a 1 in any subject, means no diploma. CAS is not graded but must be completed. (IB passing criteria)

A Level is graded A* to E and AS Level A to E. The British route gives grades subject by subject, while the IB combines a total with several conditions. It is worth asking which approach your child is more comfortable with.

What changes at university application

How each qualification is used depends on the country and the university. The items below are examples from official pages, and rules can change.

• UK: UCAS says Tariff points translate qualifications and grades into a number. Only some universities and courses state requirements in Tariff points; others state them per qualification, such as A Level grades or an IB total. (UCAS)
• Canada (UBC example): initial decisions for IB students are made on interim grades reported by the school, then confirmed with final results. Canadian provinces and universities each have their own process. (UBC)
• Australia: IB Diploma results are converted to a Combined Rank comparable with the ATAR. The conversion changes year to year, and the IB does not guarantee entry to any course. (UAC)
• Hong Kong (HKU example): holders of international qualifications such as IB and A Level apply directly through the Non-JUPAS scheme. For 2027 entry, applications opened on 23 September 2026, the first-round deadline is noon (HKT) on 25 November 2026, and applications close on 25 August 2027. Interviews, personal statements and references count even if minimum requirements are met. (HKU)
• Singapore (NUS example): May 2027 IB candidates apply with school-attested predicted results. The IB transcript must reach NUS by 6 July 2027. English must be one of the IB subjects. (NUS)

Weighing it for your child

We cannot give you a single answer. We suggest these questions instead.

1. Does your child do well with a structure that spans several subject groups?
2. Can your child steadily complete requirements outside exams, such as projects, an essay and CAS?
3. Which qualification does each target university ask for, and in what form?
4. Does the school run one continuous programme from primary to upper secondary?

Checklist

• Have you listed your target countries and universities, and read each admissions page for IB and A Level requirements?
• Does your child understand the six DP groups and the HL/SL structure?
• Do you know the IB Diploma passing rules (minimum 24 points, TOK, Extended Essay, CAS)?
• Have you checked whether IGCSE grades are A*-G or 9-1, and how target universities treat them?
• Have you put application deadlines and result-submission dates (predicted, final) on a calendar?
• Have you worked out whether a university states requirements in Tariff points or per qualification?
• Before using an agent, have you checked whether the university asks for direct applications?

Ask the school

• Which IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) and which British stages (IGCSE, AS, A Level) does the school run?
• If it runs both routes, can a student switch partway through?
• Which subjects are offered, and are there limits on choosing HL subjects?
• Which countries and universities did recent graduates apply to?
• How and when does the school report predicted and interim grades to universities?

Entry requirements, conversion tables and deadlines can differ by university and change from year to year. Always confirm the latest details with the university and the school.